Lee promises expanded R&D support at KAIST graduation

Feb 20, 2026, 03:43 pm

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President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung salute the national flag at the commencement ceremony at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, on Feb. 20. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung said Thursday that his administration will ensure no scientific research in South Korea is forced to stop due to a lack of funding, pledging expanded investment in research and development (R&D) and stronger support for science and engineering talent.

Speaking at the commencement ceremony of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, Lee said, “We will build a safety net for science and engineering so that at the very least, no research will have to be halted because of insufficient funds.”

“Under firm conviction, our government is devoting all its efforts to restoring the research ecosystem that collapsed following R&D budget cuts,” he added.

Under the previous administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, the 2024 R&D budget was reduced by 14.7 percent from the previous year — the steepest cut in more than 30 years.

At the time, controversy arose during a KAIST commencement speech by Yoon when a graduate protesting the R&D budget cuts was escorted out by security personnel. The graduate was later identified as Shin Min-gi, then spokesperson of the Daejeon chapter of the Green Justice Party.

Lee highlighted what he described as a key achievement of his administration. “Increasing the basic research budget by more than 17 percent to allow emerging researchers like you to fully dedicate yourselves to your work is our government’s greatest accomplishment,” he said.

“It does not matter whether it is a laboratory start-up or an unknown theory the world has yet to imagine. Trust the government and challenge yourselves boldly. We will spare no investment in the bright future and limitless possibilities you will open,” he added.

Emphasizing the importance of science and technology in an era of global competition, Lee said, “From the AI revolution to the great energy transition, we are standing at a civilizational turning point unlike any we have experienced before.”

“South Korea’s fierce history is marked by great scientific and technological achievements born from repeated challenges and failures,” he said. “From the semiconductor miracle and the IT revolution to recent deep-tech start-ups, it was the tenacious passion and courage of KAIST members that enabled the nation to leap into the ranks of advanced countries.”

Lee also pledged to improve the research environment. “We will boldly reform research systems so that every drop of sweat shed in the research process is recognized as a valuable asset toward success,” he said.

Referring to the newly established College of AI at KAIST, he added, “The AI college newly launched at KAIST will serve as a key foundation for realizing our vision of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers. We will spare no support to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared across society.”

A total of 3,334 students — including 725 bachelor’s, 1,792 master’s and 817 doctoral graduates — received degrees at the ceremony.

“The 3,334 passionate resolutions and aspirations you carry today are future assets that will lead South Korea into becoming a science and technology powerhouse,” Lee told the graduates.

#Lee Jae-myung #KAIST #R&D budget #research and development #science policy